The Role

The Head Gardener is a proactive role responsible for both developing and delivering an ambitious vision for our gardens. We are seeking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic gardener who enjoys practical hands-on gardening, leading a small team, including volunteers, and collaborating with colleagues to realise the potential of our historic gardens and productive kitchen garden.

The position is primarily outdoors undertaking skilled gardening and general garden maintenance. The successful candidate should be prepared to work in all weather conditions and to perform physical tasks as part of the role.

Ardtornish Gardens

A naturalistic woodland landscape of 25 acres, shaped from a rocky hillside with sweeping views over Loch Aline and an extensive network of paths. Mature birch, conifers, acers, eucryphia and over 200 varieties of rhododendron thrive in the acid, high-rainfall conditions, providing structure and seasonal colour throughout the year. Formal lawns and glades frame dramatic views. Understorey plantings reveal carpets of snowdrops, primroses, bluebells, daffodils, native woodland plants and mosses beneath the trees. With substantial plantings dating from the 1880’s and recent storm damage, the garden is ready for a refreshed vision that aligns with the Ardtornish focus on nature recovery and responsible tourism.

The Kitchen Garden

A 1.5 acre walled garden providing produce for the estate’s retail outlet and new cafe. Food production is restarting in 2026 following a pause in 2025 ahead of the garden wall rebuild. A new production plan will see the polytunnels, outdoor beds and fruit bushes and trees reach their potential. The Potting Shed forms a base for volunteers with a volunteer programme awaiting a reset, using opportunities for temporary volunteers while longer term volunteer accommodation is developed.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Lead, motivate, manage and work alongside the gardening team, currently one full-time and one part-time gardener.

2. Manage contractors undertaking garden maintenance and development projects, with support of the Land Manager as needed in reviewing the most effective balance of the staff and contractor resource.

3. Create volunteering opportunities and develop a long-term volunteering programme.

4. Work closely with the Land Manager and Managing Director to develop and implement a long-term vision and plan for the gardens to realise their full potential.

5. Ensure that safety measures are followed to ensure the gardens remain a safe place for visitors and staff.

 6. Provide a welcoming presence for the visiting public.

7. Plan, manage, and deliver as part of the gardening team, the planting, propagation, pruning, and cultivation of all plants, shrubs trees and crops in the gardens.

8. Manage and contribute to general maintenance tasks involving the use of machinery including mowing, scarifying and managing leaves and compost.

9. Work pro-actively with café and retail colleagues to produce and deliver a seasonal growing plan for produce from the kitchen garden.

10. Maintain an inventory of all tools and equipment used for gardening, ensuring that they are in good condition and serviced, repaired and replaced as needed.

11. Manage and develop the self-catering cottage gardens.

12. Annual grounds maintenance outwith the gardens includes tree safety, pruning, shrub and hedge cutting, occasional strimming and leaf blowing.

Person specification

Essential:

• Recognised horticultural qualification and/or 5 years’ experience working in horticulture
• A strong knowledge and vision of horticulture
• Experience of leading a team and managing both volunteers and contractors
• The ability to work independently and use initiative
• An excellent and pro-active communicator
• A good knowledge of health and safety
• A full driving licence

Desirable:

• Experience and certification in first-aid, chainsaw use, arboriculture, chipper, pesticide use, sit-in ATV and tractor
• Experience in producing organic food
• Experience in woodland, high nature value and naturalistic gardening
• Experience in working with communities

Applications:

Please send a covering letter and your CV to Henry Dobson, Landscape Manager, at henry@ardtornish.com for the closing date of 8 February 2026.